Electrical connector



Oct. 19, 1943. H. R. DOTY 2,332,483

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Fil ed March 4, 1941 v HOWARD RDOTY W ww AT RNEYljfatented Oct. 19, .1943

, UNITED ,STATES PATENT or ice ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR;

Howard B. Duty. Gienside, Pa, assignor to Hugh H. Eby, Inc.,Philadelphia, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 4,1941, Serial No. 381,623

This invention relates to electrical connectors,

' pertaining particularly to prong receiving socket ly smaller stepsover the-years, there are certain disadvantages pertaining to the priorart that have not yet been obviated. Thecost factor both of productionand of assembly remains rather high, the contact resistance of the partsis frequently unduly high, the devices in the main are assemblages of aplurality of portions involving assembly difliculties and notinfrequently the contacts of the socket device are dislodged in use.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a unitary moldedbase of a single component; to provide a socket base and an improvedcontact therefor which is assembled and anchored by mere axial insertioninto the appropriate aperture in the socket; to provide a prongreceiving socket device with a female contact so anchored within thesocket base that neither tension on the attached connector cord nor pushor pull from the inserted prong member can dislodge or displace thecontact; to provide a component unitary molded socket base with aninserted contact having a resilient locking lug so arranged that allundesired movement of the contact within the socket in any direction isobviated; to provide a molded socket base with suitable contactapertures such that connectors may be threaded through the apertures andattached contacts may be pulled into permanently anchoredaperture-mounted relation in said base by tension on said cords; toprovide an electrical connector device comprising a unitary basestructure having a contact receiving aperture, :1 wire connector, and afemale contact element havin a soldering connection for the connector soarranged that anchored association of the connector and of the contactapart from the socket base is facilitated to obviate the difliculty andlabor cost of soldering a plurality of connectors to a plurality offemale contacts in a restricted space; to provide a socket assembly ofan insulating molded base having a shielding prong-supporting aperturearranged entirely to house a female contact and. the exposed portion ofa connector soldered thereto; to provide a connector comprising asocketreceptacle of such complete shielding and insulation value as to enablethe contacts of the, socket to carry relatively high voltages withimpunity; to provide a socket assembly with a, plurality of contacts andconnectors anchored thereto such that capacity factors between adja- 5Claims. (Cl. 173-328) cent contacts are minimized; to provide asimplifled electrical connector of ornamental appearance; and .manyother objects and advantages will become more apparent as thedescription proceeds.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of i this description.

Fig. 1 represents a plan form of blank from vention is made up.

Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the preferred form of contact.

Fig. 3 represents a top plan thereof. Fig. 4 represents a fragmentaryvertical section through a molded socket base suitably apertured.

to receive the contact shown in side elevation in anchored positiontherein.

Fig. 5 represents a top plan of an illustrative form of socket base inwhich suitable apertures are provided as to resume the contacts of thisin-- vention.

Fig. 6 represents a bottom plan thereof.

Fig. 7 represents a side elevation partially in section of the socketelement of Fi 5 with a coupled contact and connector in a stage ofprogress toward permanent anchorage.

Fig. 8 represents a fragmentary transverse section through the assemblyof Fig. 4, on line 8-8 thereof.

' Fig. 9 represents a similar section on line 99 of Fig. 4 and Fig. 10represents a member similar to that of Fig. 4 with a modified form ofcontact mounted therein.-

The basic concept of the socket construction is indicated in Figs. 4 and,10, in each of which a solid body ID has a preferably cylindrical boreor aperture ll opening in the upper surface l2, and which may bedesignated as the prong contact aperture. Theprong aperture extends onlypar- .tially through the base and terminates in a shoulder l3 formed bythe abutment of a semi-cylindrical die member with the plastic of thebase. As will beseen the shoulder is substantially crescent in contourin plan form because of the formation of a connector aperture l4extending from the lower surface l5 and terminating in the similarlycrescent contoured shoulder l6 closer to the prong entrance surface l2than the shoulder l3. The connector aperture is made by asub-cylindrical die member overlapping but extending in parallelism withthe first mentioned die member so that the respective shoulders l6 andI3 are parallel and spaced both axially of the socket, but also onopposite sides of the comshown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, and sofar as thedisclosure of a base section alone is concerned the sections comprisingFigs. 4 and may be asare bent are laterally spaced apart so that insumed to have been taken radially through the left hand aperture of Fig.5.

A connector' plug according to this invention comprises a substantiallycylindrical body I8 having an end surface 26 corresponding to lowersurface l5 of Fig. 4, and having aparallel top surface 2|, correspondingto surface i 2 of Fig. 4, although it is preferred that end surface 2|be provided with a shallow annular groove 22, not

shown in Fig. 4. An enlarged open ended cylindrical shielding skirtportion 23 is provided preferably integral with base l8 and coaxialtherewith so as to shieldingly receive the prongs and base of a maleconnector-member (not shown). Obviously the skirt 23 can be omittedif.desired.

The base II has a plurality of through channels 7 11, formed asdescribed and p ferably disposed with their longest transverse dia eterradial of thebase.

m the blank of Fig. 1 is formed the conts for mounting in the respectivesockets, as noted, and the blank comprises a stamping having preferablyparallel side edges 24 and 251)! suitable length, connected at the upperend by a substantially linear edge 26 normal to the side edges andhaving the median lip 21 formed by a neck which is ruptured to separateadjacent blanks, although said lip obviously may be omitted. The blankhas left and right short lower edges 28 and 88, parallel to the top edge26, and 'merging into side edges 24 and 25 respectively by roundedcorners: A soldering tail extension 8| having respectively the straightside edges 34 and 26 substantially parallel to the side edges 24 and 25.The soldering tail 2| may be formed as desired for convenience ofattachment of a wire connector, as by an aperture 86. A resilient tongue81 is provided having'the edge of the free end 88 struck out of the bodyof the blank with the free edge 38 presenting in a direction opposite tothat of the aligned lower edge surfaces .28 and 28.

The portions of the blank defined by side edge 24 and end edges 28 and28 and protuberance 22 and by side edge 28, and end edges 28 and 88 andprotuberance 28, comprise wings or arms 48 and 41, respectively bendableas a whole relative to the backing portion 4| in substantial align mentwith the forwardly bent soldering tail 8|, with the free ends of thearms, outwardly of the protuberances, defined by the parallel endsurfaces reentrantly bent to overlie the backing portion 4|. Thisstructure provides a prong receiving channel formed by the backingportion 4| and the respective-side arms 46 and 42 with which an insertedprong has plural line contact.

profile the contact is substantially oval with its widest lateral extentsuch as to have substantially sliding fit in the prong receivingaperture ll of the composite aperture ll, as shown in Fig. 8.

Preferably also the degree of bend imparted to the respectiveprotuberances 82 and 88 is such that the latter form short substantiallyparallel legs, in transverse section, so that their side edges 34 and 26respectively abut the arcuate surface of the lower-most or connectoraperture I 4 below the level of shoulder l3, to prevent contact rotationas shown in Fig. 9.

It is to be understood that a connector 43 having insulation 44 has afree end engaged and soldered in the soldering tail hole 26 after thetail preferably has been bent forwardly to partially overlie the prongchannel, as shown. As the soldering is accomplished apart from thesocket and therefore out of a sharply constricted space, it may be veryexpeditiously accomplished. Each contact bearing wire is threadedthrough the appropriate composite holes as indicated,

from the top, with the resilient extended tongue 21 projectingrearwardly toward the side of the opening having the upper shoulder l6,and with the outer contours of the respective side arms 48 and 42 guidedslidably between the diametrically opposite arcuate portions of theupper aperture ll.

r 81 clears the edge of shoulder l6 so that the free end 28 thereofengages beneath shoulder l6, the lowermost edges 28 and 86 engage andrest upon shoulder I 3 and the contact is then anchored in place. Whenso anchored, it will be understood that the axis of the contactcentrally of the arms and backing portion is disposed and held insubstantial coincidence with the axis of upper or prong receivingopening II by the diameter extension of the side arms in substantialcontact with the opposite sides of the aperture II. The resilient tongue31 prevents retraction of the contact during withdrawal of the maleprong member, while a positive inward axial stop is secured by theengagement of the arm lower edges 28 and 28 on shoulder I8.

It is important that the alignment of stops and shoulders be maintained,and to this end rotation of the contact in the composite hole is limitedand stopped by the engagement of the inner surface of lower aperture I4by the vertical edges 24 and 25, of the protuberances, as shown in Fig.9.

A modification is disclosed in Fig. 10 in which all of the parts are asdiscussed, and all have the same numbers, except that the lower flatedges 28 and 38, the protuberances 32 and 22 and their edges 84 and 26are all replaced by the substantially linear slanting edges 45, disposedat about 30', preferably, to the surface of shoulder l8. It will beclear that at the points of contact between the slanting or inclinededges 48 and the edge of shoulder 12, axial downward motion, as well asrotational motion of the contact is obviated.

The simplicity, economy, and efficiency of the Preferably the centersabout which the side arms 76 connector described will be manifest.

I claim:

1. A socket connector comprising in combination a base and a femalecontact, said base having a composite hole extending completely throughthe base and comprising a contact aperture extending from the topsurface of the base to an internal lower contact stop shoulder, aconnector aperture extending from the lower surface of the base to aninternal upper contact anchoring shoulder, the stop shoulder beingcloser to the lower surface than the anchoring shoulder, and theapertures being substantially parallel, overlapping andintercommunicating, the respective apertures being each substantiallycylindrical and the respective shoulders being substantiallycrescent-shaped in profile and sym-' metrically diametrically oppositelydisposed in the composite hole, a contact comprising a substantiallybarrel-shaped transversely oval contact element having a longdiametrical axis in transverse section and having an axial slot in onewall forming spaced arms having lower stop surfaces substantially on oneside of the transverse long diametrical axis of the contact in positionto engage the stop shoulder, a resilient tongue on the element on theopposite side thereof from the stop surfaces projecting away from saidstop surfaces in position to engage the anchoring shoulder to anchor theelement against axial dislodgment from the apertures, and spacedcontinuations of the spaced stop surfaces on the element disposed forbearing laterally against the inner wall of the lower aperture adjacentto the stop shoulder preventing rotation and dislodgement of the elementfrom the respective shoulders.

2. A socket connector comprising a base, said base having a compositehole extending completely through the base and comprising asubstantially cylindrical contact aperture formed in and extendingdownwardly from the top surface of the base as the only part of saidhole in said upper surface, said aperture terminating in a solidtransverse wall of base material forming a contact stop shoulder, said.hole further comprising a substantially cylindrical connector apertureformed in and extending upwardly from the lower surface of the base asthe only part of the hole in the lower surface and terminating in asolid transverse wall of base material forming a contact anchoringshoulder, said respective aper-' tures being staggered, substantiallyparallel, and overlapping so that each passes through the portion of thesolid terminal wall of the other to the extent of the overlapping only,to cause the respective shoulders each to assume a substancontactanchoring shoulder, said respective apertures being staggered,substantially parallel, and overlapping so tha each passes through theportion of the solid terminal wall of the other to the extent of theoverlapping only, to cause the respective shoulders each to assume asubstantially crescent shaped profile, said shoulders being oppositelydisposed symmetrically of the long diameter of the composite hole in themedian plane of the base, said female contact being disposed in thecomposite hole and comprising a backing portion and side arms having aprong receiving channel disposed in the contact receivingaperture, saidside armshaving lower edge portions engageable upon the crescent shapedstop shoulder to limit axial movement of the contact downwardly of thebase, and a resilient tongue on said contact extending away from thecontact stop shoulder engageable with the crescent shaped anchorageshoulder to anchor the contact against axial movement upwardly of thease.

4. A socket connector comprising the combination of a base and a femalecontact, said base having a composite hole extending completely throughthe base and comprising a substantially cylindrical contact apertureformed in and extending downwardly from the top surface of the base asthe only-part of said hole in said upper surface, said apertureterminating in a solid transverse wall of base material forming acontact stop shoulder, said hole further comprising a substantiallycylindrical connector aperture formed in and extending upwardly from thelower surface of the base as the only part of the hole in the lowersurface and terminating in a solid transverse wall of base materialforming a contact anchoring shoulder, said respective apertures beingstaggered, substantially parallel, and overlapping so that each passesthrough the portion of the solid terminal wall of the other to theextent of the overlapping only, to cause the respective shoulders eachto assume a substantially crescent shaped profile, said shoulders beingoppositely disposed symmetrically of the long diameter of the compositehole in the median plane of the base, said female contact being disposedin the composite hole and comprising a backing portion and side armshaving a prong receiving channel disposed in the contact receivingaperture, said side arms having lower edge portions engageable upon thecrescent shaped stop shoulder to limit axial movement of tially crescentshaped profile, said shoulders being oppositely disposed symmetricallyof the long diameter of the composite hole in the median plane of thebase.

3. A socket connector comprising the combination of a base and a femalecontact, said base having a composite hole extending completely throughthe base and comprising a substantially cylindrical contact apertureformed in and extending downwardly from the top surface of the base asthe only part of said hole in said upper surface, said. apertureterminating in a solid transverse wall of base material forming acontact stop shoulder, said hole further comprising a substantiallycylindrical connector aperture formed in and extending upwardly from thelower surface of the base as the only part of the hole in the lowersurface and terminating in a solid transverse wall of base materialforming a the contact downwardly of the base, and a resilient tongue onsaid contact extending away from the contact stop shoulder engageablewith the crescent shaped anchorage shoulder to anchor the contactagainst axial movement upwardly of the base, and means engageable at aplurality of peripherally spaced points against the inner surface of thesaid second aperture adjacent to the stop shoulder to prevent rotationof the contact in said hole.

5. A socket connector comprising the combination of a base and a femalecontact, saidbase having a composite hole extending completely throughthe base and comprising a substantially cylindrical contact apertureformed in and extending downwardly from the top surface of the base asthe only part of said hole in said upper surface, said apertureterminating in a solid transverse wall of base material forming acontact stop shoulder, said hole further comprising a substantiallycylindrical connector aperture formed in and extending upwardly from thelower surface of. the base as the only part of thia \v hole in the lowersurface and terminating in a solid transverse wall of base materialforming a contact anchoring shoulder, said respective apertures beingstaggered, substantially parallel, and overlapping so that each passesthrough the portion of the solid terminal wall of the other to theextent of the overlapping only, to cause the respective shoulders eachto assume a substantially crescent shaped profile, said shoulders beingoppositely disposed symmetrically of the long diameter of the compositehole in the median plane of the base, said female contact being disposedin the composite hole and comprising a backing portion and side armshaving a prong receiving channel disposed in the contact receivingaperture, said side arms having lower edge assaeaa portions engageableupon the crescent shaped stop shoulder to limit axial movement of thecontact downwardly oi the base, and a resilient tongue on said contactextending away from the contact stop shoulder engageable with thecrescent shaped anchorage shoulder to anchor the contact against axialmovement upwardly of the base, and means engageable at a plurality ofperipherally spaced points against the inner surface or the said secondaperture adjacent to the stop shoulder to prevent rotation of the'contact in said hole, said tongue and last means being symmetricallydisposed relative to the transverse axis or the contact to maintainbalanced support of the contact relating to the oppositely disposedshoulders of the base.

HOWARD R. DOI'Y.

